Cheap calls to Spain

llh189

My parents have just moved to Spain and I am moving in to a new flat so planning to get the basic BT package installed at home ( and probably use Tiscali for broadband ) my area is not able to get Talk/Talk, so my question is when is best to call Spain, and which rate buster numbers are best to use.

Thanks

Lisa

Heinz

I've found the most reliable to be www.18185.co.uk - 4p connection and 0.5p per minute (same rate at any time on any day).

However, it's always wise to check out the MSE International Callchecker from time to time.

gavinp

It is also worth looking at VoIPBuster which allows 5 hours of calls to a Spanish landline per week free (and 1 cent/min after this):

http://www.voipbuster.com/

We have used this service to call the in-laws in Spain for the last two years.

Credit expires more quickly now though so it is much closer in cost to using 18185 (who are owned by the same company).

Thanks

Gavin

llh189

Gavin,

Do you call a Spainish landline number or do my parents need to be plugged in to their computer.

What if any are the charges.

Sorry to be a bit dim, but this is new to me.

Thanks


Lisa

ednotdave

Lisa

We are often in Spain and tell people to phone us using Discount Dial - currently 1p/min for landlines or 9p/min for mobiles - no account needed:

"Don't wait any longer and start calling with the new Discount Dial access numbers. Fully available throughout the UK and incredibly cheap to use. There is no need to register or pre-pay, you can profit immediately from our great rates"

If you find anything better, please let me know!

Ed

Heinz

ednotdave wrote:

If you find anything better, please let me know!

Ed

There are 4 cheaper in the MSE International Callchecker.

As I said, my preference is www.18185.co.uk - 4p connection and ½p per minute to call a Spanish landline from a BT landline.

Yes, you have to have an account but the upside is you don't get stung by your call provider's minimum call charge if the target number is engaged and you don't start paying when you're only halfway through dialling.

ednotdave

Heinz wrote:

As I said, www.18185.co.uk - 4p connection and ½p per minute from a BT landline.

Yes, you have to have an account but the upside is you don't get stung by your call provider's minimum call charge if the target number is engaged.

True, that's better for landlines (apart from the account sign-up), but dearer for mobiles (15p/min)...

Ed

pricefighter

ednotdave wrote:

Lisa

We are often in Spain and tell people to phone us using Discount Dial - currently 1p/min for landlines or 9p/min for mobiles - no account needed:

"Don't wait any longer and start calling with the new Discount Dial access numbers. Fully available throughout the UK and incredibly cheap to use. There is no need to register or pre-pay, you can profit immediately from our great rates"

If you find anything better, please let me know!

Ed

The disadvantage of the Discount Dial Numbers and other dial through numbers is you start paying when you hit the recorded announcement.So if the other party does not answer, or is engaged you pay a min call charge.Where as with 18185 etc you dont pay unless your connected.

gavinp

llh189 wrote:

Gavin,

Do you call a Spainish landline number or do my parents need to be plugged in to their computer.

What if any are the charges.

Sorry to be a bit dim, but this is new to me.

Thanks


Lisa

We have broadband in the UK but call the in-laws in Spain on their normal landline number.

You have to open an account and pay in 10 euros credit even though the calls are free but the credit expires after 120 days (4 months). You can use the 10 euro credits up on other calls.

For calls from Spain to the U.K., it is worth considering signing up with Direct Telecom as you can call U.K. landlines for 5 cents/min inc IVA (aka VAT):

http://www.direct-telecom.es/

My in-laws have used them for about a year without any problems.

Thanks

Gavin